CD Reviews

For completists only

R comme Ralingue | Bordeaux, France | 10/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For our biggest pleasure, here we are with a rare recording which stayed out of sight for a long time. Just a few people could pretend to have heard this magnificent recording by legendary Bill Evans. These sessions at Birdland in march and april 1960 were recorded directly from broadcast at the famous club. Bill Evans (piano), Scott La Faro(bass) and Paul Motian don't need to be introduced. Bill plays like a monster ! To me, he seems freer than on the village vanguard sessions! These sessions are too important to be ignored and the speaker does not interrupt the pianist, and the pieces are not shunted. We owe a big debt to Jordi Pujol (Fresh Sound Label) who signed the liner notes. The sound is okay. Standards are played : Three versions of Autumn Leaves, Our Delight (Tadd Dameron) played at furia speed, Beautiful Love with the wonderful toucher of Bill, Scott La Faro seems to take more risks than on The famous Village Vanguard Sessions the next year. You shall also find superb versions of Speak Low (rendered at a supersonic speed!!!), All of You, Come rain or come shine, Nardis, and Blue in Green (moving). This recording is for completists and all fans of Bill Evans. Magic ! A true moment's happiness. I hesitate though between 4 and 5 stars because of the speaker : it doesn't sound like a record but rather like a document. "

An acquired taste, a valuable piece of history

Jess Row | NYC | 04/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The sound quality here really does get in the way--how sad to contemplate what would have happened if the trio was properly recorded on this date! That said, once you become accustomed to the background noise and general muddiness the performances really shine through. LaFaro's solos are longer and more intense here than on the Vanguard recordings, and the interplay between the three has never been more evident."

Highly Recommended

C. Chapman | San Francisco | 06/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having read the 3 prior reviews, numerous times, I delayed purchasing the album for a couple weeks. That was a mistake (but thankfully not a major one) - I strongly recommend this album. The sound is not nearly as dire as noted in the 2 of the other reviews - better than "ok" in my opinion: the artists work cuts through the chatter in the club easily. R Frederic describes the playing quite well (at least as well as words could possibly capture it) - here we find a more energized approach from the First Trio. LaFaro's explorations and Evans' response are more extroverted (and truly exceptional) - with Motian playing a more rhythmic role than in the Vanguard sessions (not in any way taking away from his masterful playing). This is Bill Evans at his best in 1960 - over a year before the Vanguard June `61 date. To cut through it all - These recordings are the second of only two live recordings of the First Trio at work: Why would there be any debate over the merit of spending ~$30 to own these?"

SO SAD

Robert R. King | Westchester, CA USA | 04/28/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The other reviewers of this CD are far too kind (probably because they would love another great LaFaro/Evans Album) but you can not rate this album highly because the talking among the audience is far too audible. At times I checked and adjusted my stereo, only to conclude that the noise that was distracting me was on the recording."

Not bad once you get used to it

S. Grewal | NY | 08/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album requires repeated listening. After a few close listens with good headphones or good speakers, you will finally get a hand of these tunes and be rewarded by the amazing interplay of Bill Evans and Scott Lafaro. Paul Motian is more on the drums and less on the brushes here. Evans and Lafaro both are more extroverted than on the Village Vanguard recordings. Once you get used to the sound quality, these recordings are a treasure. Like a previos person said, it is an acquired taste, and it's more like a document than an album. But nevertheless amazing and worth getting if you truly are a fan."